This act has been brewed to perfection hailing from what has become one of the coolest communities on Earth. The drifty, dreamy yet slow dancy enablers Blouse lovingly bring you some well crafted tunes that coincide with their very thoughtful lyrics. This particular video features them doing an impressive live set as transmitted from an art museum.
Finally, I discover this fascinating band but it was well worth the wait. The first time I saw them there was a strange but compelling noise to begin the song and I was interested so I peered closely at the band as the song began to unfold, that is then when I observed the singer, Sarah, pick-tapping on her Gibson SG. Needless to say was I was instantly enchanted. As the song progressed, I heard the strong arrangement of the tune and Sarah's unique and beautiful voice and I knew then I had gone one step beyond love at first listen and entered worship territory. Definitely worth checking out over and over again.
Artist: The Happy Hollows
Origin: Los Angeles, California U.S.A.
Took me a long time to get to this album and I have to admit I was very hesistant and
even reluctant to hear it due to the last few NIN releases which by my standards I considered weak. Still, I gave it a chance today based on some positive comments of friends, and I am happy to report this album is a indeed an impressive return to the upper echelons of the musical stratosphere for Reznor's project. The album features a very good balance of buzzing, droney synths those which I could describe as sort of a sonic companion to floating on delicious caramely syrup, this blissful syrupy feeling is punctuated and conjoined with these sort of absolutely scrumptious, glitchy clicks and beeps of the sort you would hear after just turning on a brand new technological toy right out of the box.
Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Origin: Cleveland, Ohio USA
It is not too often I scan the frequencies of normal FM radio. Fortunately Today, I was travelling with a companion who identified this song as one of her favorites. I gave it a single listen and was instantly a fan. This song features extremely intricate vocal harmonies that swell and grow alongside the literally powerful and imaginative lyrics. The steady, simple pounding of the 808 Kick drums are the perfect beat to match the majestic touch that this tune has. The most amazing thing about the songwriter is that she is so young! She is only 16 years old, as I write this entry. Definitely take a moment to bow down and listen to this Lorde, she is something special.
Candles, perfumed air, fine cuisine and charm of the night, you now have a new companion with this collection of songs. This time we are gifted with a bevy of tunes from the amazing mind of a French woman whose name is Melody! This album sure does have lots of fabulous morsels of melody in it. You will hear the tracks have elements of Broadcast, crossed with a dreamy yet sophisticated elegance that could only be brewed up in conjunction with the pulse of the ultra-romantic City of Lights.
Artist: Melody's Echo Chamber
Origin: Paris, France
I highly recommend this album, the whole thing...every track is worth hearing, in order. Daughter features a very unique and talented female vocalist and a refreshing approach to production which pushes boundaries yet without jolting the listener at any point during the listening experience.
This act provides a case study for this site's long held theory in which music creation is directly and heavily influenced by an artist's physical and emotional environment. Listening to this track, one can just about visualize the scenesters of Williamsburg bobbing their noggins in approval. In fact this track is so preov- approved, that the web is already over saturated with the mention of the 7 year lay off , yadayadayada. This track does not appear on TionTunes do to any of the hype, however. This track simply appears because it has a high quality catchiness that is delivered inside an envelope of low quality music development. This writer has always had an unquenchable thirst for the type of alchemic auditory mix this track provides. Press play and drink up, fellow thirsty experimental pop audiophiles.
Ahh Summer, tis' the time of a myriad of performances and festivals in music. This powerful 3 piece rocker that caught my ears and eyes comes to you from the Pitchfork Music Festival! Sometimes I just need music with a big sounding "Engine" to get my motor running and step out on the highway as someone used to say. This track made this phenomenon happen for me tonight and thus captured TionTunes' coveted August featured video slot.
Artist: Waxahatchee Origin: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
There is a certain leisurely tone in this track that would make one guess that it was written somewhere in the deep south, somewhere where they sip sweet tea from white picket porches and chat about things such as putting up hammocks or harvesting all the fine herbs and fruits that are coming into maturation in the summer. This track of course may not really be any of those things, but watching it and seeing the parade of dogs as they travel by automobile certainly says to me something like "you are in good company", and thus this video with it's pretty slide guitar creates an enjoyable experience just kicking back and viewing it.
Artist: Julian Lynch
Origin: Ridgewood, New Jersey United States of America
Let me start July by sharing with you something I was fortunate enough to witness in person on the fourth amidst an accompaniment of fireworks and pyrotechnics...Zigtebra! Although small in numbers they provided a sound as big as those fluffy willow tree like firework explosions that linger in memory after the moment fades. Do yourself a favor and see them live, because it just might leave you with that same warm and fuzzy feeling that I still feel today, but if not...at least you have their videos, and mini movies which are all to say the least, very cute!
Artist: Zigtebra
Origin: Chicago, Illinois United States
It's been a long time Black Francis, or Frank Black thrusted himself into pop culture and yet here he is with the beloved Pixies in full regatta! The Pixies bring out all the tricks from yesteryear for this track, with the flip flopping vocals and the odd on the verge of psychosis song structure. Joey Santiago as usual, pitches in with his wailing guitar leads that always hit that perfect path of poignancy. It's a pity Kim Deal has left this outfit but nice to hear her contribution just one last time as our cult heroes have returned! Their album should be coming soon. Excitement!!!
Artist: The Pixies
Origin: Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A.
Tonight as the world and I await the season finale of the third season of Game of Thrones, I must marvel at the subtle power and majestic emotional impulse of this wonderful composition that was written for the series. It is rare nowadays for a tune to generate such strength with such a slow plodding tempo. This song is so great in fact, I think I would join the Lannister army if my home world were to be Westeros! The singer selected for the vocal performance of this composition is none other then Matt Berniger, the lead singer of the band, The National.
We had to reach back into the early 80s to pull out this European playgroundish sounding song. It features an insistent bouncy melody and a helpful older robot that chases it around the playground as the music unfolds. Would have made a nice child activity time tune for all the unborn mutants of the 80s.
Artist: Deutsche Wertarbeit
Origin: Berlin, Germany
For a long time I thought I was unusual in that I feared sitting and waiting at the airport for my flight much more terrifying then the flight itself. Many times I could feel myself devolving into an eternal time loop of infinite torture, where I could be going anywhere but instead I am going nowhere. This music track provides the perfect tension to accompany this sort of personal abysmal existential thought process.
Been awhile since I found a straight ahead melodic female fronted rock song. I heard this one in the middle of the night and it totally "hit the spot" of that part of my musical palette that had been starved for too long. It helps that she is from Scotland, one of my favorite countries for music makers.
Has there ever been such a magnificent musical piece written on the topic of the anti-christ? I think not. This song still gives me goosebumps on two levels, one in fear of that evil boy and the other level is the sheer power and depth of this composition. Thanks Mr. Goldsmith for your contributions to cinematic scores throughout your lifetime.
Artist: Jerry Goldsmith
Origin: Los Angeles, California USA
This one comes at the advice from my ghost contributor, Roku. It is not just a single track folks, it is an entire album of travels in psychedelic ear country! Kick back, relax and enjoy this album with your cocktail in hand says Roku.
The temporary streaky escape from New York has ended as I have now heard yet another fantastic artist from the big city. This track feature lush colliding chords that wash ashore upon it's grey waters a very talented and unique vocalist. What more do you need as the weekend fades away?
Artist: Caveman
Origin: New York, New York, United States
I know it is a commercial, but it so expertly put together and honors the track of "Just What I Needed" by the Cars in such a way, that I owed it to the readers of this blog to share it. It actually gave me that special tingle when the song fully kicks in. Google Fiber, coming to your town soon!
Artist: The Cars
Origin: Boston, Massachusetts United States
The Kinks like melody can be forgiven as this song just has that sort of "you must go now!" kind of feel to it. An excellent tune to accompany your early morning coffee or perhaps as that extra boost of fuel for your late night excursions towards 'nowhere'.
I was not to sure how to pronounce this band's name, but fortunately, it is no problem in print! It is yet another tune that brings back some elements of the past and effortlessly merges it with things that are in the here and now. The nihilistic lyrics really drew me in and the soul felt singing compelled me to share this with you all.
'This world is gonna burn. Burn, burn, burn'.
This song was written well before Sting underwent his transformation towards inner peace. It clearly demonstrates a fierce lyrical writing style ready to confront a family and labor system that is turning humans into monsters worst than what can be imagined in stories. I like that Sting has been able to quell his inner turmoil, but perhaps in the process he has de-fanged an important voice that stood strongly against the status quo. I present this song to myself on my own birthday as a 'note-to-self'', it tells me I must maintain for as long as I can, my personal individual battle against the myriads of manipulations of an obsolete and decaying social consciousness.
This song is well placed in a romantic comedy or somewhere in a place where there is some kind of girl power thing or gathering about to happen. A very energetic and fun track imported from London.
Sometimes you need a song to feel out your daydreams. This can be that kind of song. Listen to it knowing that some wish is just beckoning for your hands to rub the magic lamp that contains it, and if you do it just right, all the hope trapped in your thoughts will flow directly back into your heart.
Happy Pi day everybody. I have been kind of 'detached' from this blog for a while, but when I hear something that really grabs my attention I rush to share it with whatever following that I have here. Here is my latest auditory discovery. Hope you enjoy this track and their other works as much as I do!
Artist: The Detachments
Origin: London, England United Kingdom
Touching tune that seems to come from some sort of tragic place in which distance separates a future that was once dreamed upon and yet has drifted away much like a balloon, slowly, surely and impossible to stop.
Some of the best electronic music ever made came from O.M.D. around 30 years ago, and I am so happy to report that they have returned to form. Not only with new music but with a new track that seems to stem directly from their 'Dazzle Ship' era. This is spectacular!
Let's start out 2013 celebrating the birthday of a legend and his brand new song "Where are we now?". This song appears to be a bit of a nod toward Berlin, with Bowie's trademark cryptic lyrics holding your hand through the ride. His voice has noticeably aged a bit, but it fits this song and gives it that unique touch of stoicism that is wonderfully delivered by this classic artist who has seen and given so much.
Artist: David Bowie
Origin: London, United Kingdom
